A GP accused of sexually assaulting patients is to be charged with 11 more offences.

During an unsuccessful bail variation application at Banbridge Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, a detective sergeant revealed that cops are to lay 11 more charges of sexual assault against 45-year-old Tony Chee.

Dr Chee, is already on bail facing eight counts of sexual assaulting seven female patients at the Richhill health centre where he worker on various dates between October 2009 and July 2011 although one offence is alleged to have happened "on a date unknown between 2004 and 2011."

On Thursday the GP, who is originally from Malaysia, asked for his bail to be varied to allow him to go on a three week family holiday to Malaysia to visit his elderly in-laws from June 26 to July 17.

Objecting to the application, the DS told the court Chee had been further interviewed and will now face a total of 19 counts of sexual assault after complaints from patients, adding that there is a "fear of flight" in that because of the possibility of a custodial sentence if convicted he may decide to leave the jurisdiction.

The doctor's defence lawyer submitted that Chee had roots in the community, his children were at school here and his wife was a consultant at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

“It was fanciful in the extreme to say flight is a risk,” he said. “He is held in very high regard in the community.”

Refusing the variation, District Judge Paul Copeland said with more charges anticipated, if there was a conviction the likely sentencing was a lengthy period of custody and added that not withstanding the defendant’s clear record and professional status, the temptation to abscond was too high.

The judge said he could of course appeal his decision to the High Court.